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1-19 of 19
- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Considered the greatest diver in history, Greg Louganis is the only male to win gold medals on both 3 meter springboard and 10 meter platform in consecutive Olympic Games (1984, 1988). A trained actor, dancer, model and spokesman, Greg's wide repertoire of skills keeps him in demand and in the public eye.
Full biography
Early life
Greg Louganis was adopted at 9 months by Frances and Peter Louganis, who lived in Lemon Grove, CA, just outside of San Diego. Teased and bullied as a child for the dark skin he inherited from his Samoan father and for his learning "differences," he turned to what he could do well: sport. His first love was gymnastics and by nine years old, he was a "seasoned performer on the local talent show and convalescent-home circuit," (Breaking the Surface).
In 1968, Greg's mom took him to diving practice to keep him from breaking his neck doing stunts off his backyard diving board. He wasn't crazy about the sport at first, but his interest grew when he discovered he was quite good at it.
At the age of 11, Greg entered the national Junior Olympics. During the tough competition, Greg's mom took him outside to find out why he was struggling. He told her he was afraid of letting everyone down. She reassured him, saying that he would always be her son and no matter what, she would always love him. He went back to the pool and moved from twelfth place to tie for second. Those words stayed with him and helped him through every competition in his career.
First Olympics: 1976 Montreal, silver medal, platform (16 years old)
Five years later, Greg was working with diving legend Dr. Sammy Lee. Dr. Lee helped teach Greg to be a fighter, lessons that would be invaluable later in life. At sixteen years old, Greg qualified for the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, where he won an Olympic silver medal on 10m platform. Four years later, in peak form, Greg was one of the many athletes to suffer from the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games. It was widely expected that he would win gold medals in Moscow.
University Years
In 1978, Greg entered the University of Miami on a full diving scholarship and studied theater as part of the BFA program. In 1980, in order to dive with coach Ron O'Brien, he transferred to UC Irvine, also on an athletic scholarship. He graduated in 1983 with a major in drama and a minor in dance. As part of the drama department, Greg was dance captain and a lead player in a production of Pippin and assistant choreographer for The Gondoliers.
Olympic Champion: Securing his place in history
At the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984, Greg became the second man in the history of the sport to win gold medals in both springboard and platform, the first being Pete Desjardins in 1928. Following the Olympics, Greg's life was full of appearances, exhibitions, speaking engagements, commercials and modeling. But his time to celebrate was brief; soon he was training again for what would be one of his greatest challenges.
By 1988, Greg's physique had changed a little and he was twice as old as his competition on the Chinese diving team. He had learned he was HIV-positive and was struggling with the physical and emotional toll of his status. Many people will remember the infamous scene during the diving preliminary competition at the Seoul Olympics when Greg, comfortably in first place, performed a reverse two and ½ pike and hit his head on the diving board. For most divers, an accident that severe would be competition ending, if not career ending. But not for Greg... the consummate competitor... the consummate performer.
Despite the concussion, the four stitches, the pain, and his overwhelming fear of spreading HIV, Greg continued the competition and qualified for the finals in third place. He came back in the finals to win gold in the men's three-meter springboard event. On the ten-meter platform, he was neck and neck with his Chinese opponent, 14-year-old Xiong Ni, throughout the competition. The fight for gold came down to the last dive. Xiong Ni's was near perfection, but it wasn't enough. By a difference of only 1.14 points, Greg won gold and earned the distinction of being the only man ever to win gold medals in both springboard and platform in two consecutive Olympics.
Coming out and HIV
In February 1995, Greg shocked the world when, courageously, he announced on Barbara Walter's 20/20 and The Oprah Winfrey Show that he is gay and HIV-positive. The interviews were in advance of the release of his autobiography Breaking the Surface (co-written with Eric Marcus), which detailed the struggles he'd faced on his journey to gold medal glory.
Freed from the secrets he'd carried through his life, Greg pursued his other great loves - animals and acting. He began training and showing dogs, co-authoring the book, For the Life of Your Dog, with Betsy Sikora Siino in 1999. He has appeared in eight films, including narrating a dramatization of Breaking the Surface, starring Mario Lopez. He has appeared in numerous television shows and been interviewed countless times.
Champion for all time
In the spring of 2012, Greg is living a busy life filling many roles, including mentoring the 2012 U.S. Olympic diving team, acting as Vice President for the U.S. Olympian & Paralympian Association, traveling the world as a judge for the Red Bull Cliff Diving Tour, running training camps and authoring a new book, both on creative learning and peak performance, and of course, modeling and acting. But perhaps closest to his heart is the work he does to raise awareness and support for various philanthropic organizations dealing with animals, diversity (GLBT), learning differences and HIV/AIDS.- Jimmie Johnson was born on 17 September 1975 in El Cajon, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Herbie Fully Loaded (2005), Superstore (2015) and Blaze and the Monster Machines (2014). He has been married to Chandra Janway since 10 December 2004. They have two children.
- Actress
- Costume Designer
- Producer
Carly got her start in acting performing in musical theatre around Southern California including The Old Globe in San Diego (How The Grinch Stole Christmas), La Jolla Playhouse (Bonnie and Clyde, Chaplin), Starlight Bowl (Urinetown, Into The Woods, Oklahoma), Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities (Fiddler on the Roof), 3D Theatricals (Legally Blonde), among others. She also has a comedy background which includes stand up comedy, Groundlings, and UCB.- Jacob Underwoood was raised in San Diego, CA before moving to Orlando, FL when he became a part of O-Town. His parents are Steven and Mechele and has a brother, Bryan Underwood, and a sister, Danielle Underwood. Jacob had prepared his entire life for the moment when he would get discovered. One of 38 cousins in a devout family, Jacob is the sole cousin not to attend college. Instead, he convinced his family to allow him to pursue his musical dream. A strong singer, songwriter and guitar player, Jacob brings a unique focus to the band.
- Actress
- Additional Crew
- Writer
Paige Weldon was born in El Cajon, California, USA. She is an actress and writer, known for Corporate (2018), Heathers (2018) and The Late Late Show with James Corden (2015).- Bret Boone is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. During his career Boone was a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He is a third generation professional athlete. His brother is Aaron Boone, manager of the New York Yankees.
In 1992, Boone became the first-ever third-generation big-leaguer in baseball history. As a member of an All-Star family, he is the son of Bob, a catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, California Angels and Kansas City Royals (1972-1990) and later a manager with the Royals and Cincinnati Reds; his brother Aaron is a third baseman who has played with the Reds, New York Yankees, The Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins, and Houston Astros and is now the manager of the New York Yankees. His grandfather Ray was an infielder for the Indians, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics, The Milwaukee Braves and Boston Red Sox (1948-1960).
Bret Boone had his best years as a Seattle Mariner, where he is still a fan favorite. He finished his career with a .266 batting average, 252 home runs and 1,021 RBI in 1,780 games in 14 Major League seasons. He was a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, and participated in 2 Home Run Derbies. - Jean Landis was born on 28 September 1918 in El Cajon, California, USA. She died on 13 December 2022 in Santee, California, USA.
- Additional Crew
- Script and Continuity Department
- Actress
C.J. Arabia was born on 2 February 1970 in El Cajon, California, USA. She is an actress, known for One Saturday Morning (1997), Game Over (2004) and Hollywood Sins (2000).- Grant Roberts was born on 13 September 1977 in El Cajon, California, USA. He is married to Jana Roberts.
- Tommy Vardell was born on 20 February 1969 in El Cajon, California, USA. He is married to Andrea.
- Jeffrey Howard Coy was born in El Cajon, California to Howard E. Coy and Patricia A. Coy. He grew up in the city of Santee, a suburb of San Diego, California. He was in Santee Youth Theater from the time he was 8 years old and then in Santee Community Theater where he was nominated for an Aubrey Award for best supporting actor in the comedy production of "Our Girls."
After graduating Santana High School in 1992, Jeffrey went to college at San DIego Sate University before joining the United States Marine Corps where he medically retired in 1998.
Jeffrey joined Tower Talent Studio West in San Diego, California in 2017 through which he is pursuing his acting career.
He is single with two children, Stephanie and Connor. - Sam Gallucci was born on 17 September 1975 in El Cajon, California, USA. He is an actor, known for The Hungry Woman (2002).
- Melody was born on 24 May 2008 in El Cajon, California, USA.
- Rebecca Thurmond was born on 31 October 1975 in El Cajon, California, USA.
- Todd was born in July 2004 in El Cajon, California, USA.
- Brian Giles was born on 20 January 1971 in El Cajon, California, USA.
- Mark Malone was born on 22 November 1958 in El Cajon, California, USA.
- Joe Cardona was born on 16 April 1992 in El Cajon, California, USA.
- Taylor Young was born on 6 May 1988 in El Cajon, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Not Fade Away (2012).